The DEIS programme is having a positive effect on tackling educational disadvantage, new research confirms. It shows that improvement is taking place in the learning achievements of pupils in DEIS primary schools in urban areas.
The Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) scheme was introduced in 2005. Over €158 million is being made available this year to provide additional teaching and other resources and supports for primary and second level schools included in DEIS. In all, 670 primary and 195 post primary schools are currently included in the School Support Programme (SSP) under DEIS.
Three evaluation reports are being published today. Two were prepared by the Inspectorate of the Department of Education and Skills and the third by the Educational Research Centre (ERC) in Drumcondra at the request of the Department*.
Both the Inspectorate and the ERC reports highlight achievement gains in the literacy and numeracy levels of pupils in DEIS primary schools.
The ERC research shows statistically significant improvements in both the mathematics and reading levels of pupils in 2nd, 3rd and 6th class.
The Inspectorate evaluations show that good or very good improvement in the literacy levels of pupils, as measured against the schools’ own targets, plans or expectations, was achieved in 11 of the 18 sample schools inspected.
While the Inspectorate findings with regard to numeracy were not quite as positive as the ERC findings, significant improvements in the numeracy levels of pupils were nonetheless noted by the Inspectorate in 8 of the sample 18 schools.
The Department reports present the findings of evaluations undertaken by the Inspectorate during 2010 in 18 primary schools and 18 post-primary participating in DEIS. The ERC report focuses mainly on the reading and mathematics achievements of students in primary schools in urban areas participating in the SSP and was conducted in 120 schools.
The Inspectorate evaluation focussed on the quality of the planning processes used by DEIS schools to achieve improvement across a range of areas including attendance, attainment levels in literacy and numeracy and in examinations (post-primary level), and partnership with parents.
The reports highlight a number of encouraging findings. Practically all of the primary schools reported significant, measurable improvements in the attendance levels of their pupils while the majority of post-primary schools had effective measures in place to improve attendance. While targets to improve partnership with parents were broad, making it difficult to establish progress made, most schools had a variety of measures in place to encourage parental involvement in the school and in their child’s learning.
In welcoming the reports, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, TD, said ‘I’m pleased that all the primary schools in the Inspectorate evaluations had prioritised improved attainment in literacy and numeracy. It’s encouraging to see that the ERC report shows that there have been statistically significant gains in the reading and maths achievement of pupils between 2007 and 2010.
‘Good planning and evaluation are key to ensuring improvements in learning outcomes. The forthcoming Inspectorate Guidelines on School Self-Evaluation will be a valuable aid for schools in effecting real and measurable improvements in learning and attainment.’
The Minister also acknowledged the positive findings in relation to the overall improvements in attendance.
‘I want to commend the very good work being done by schools, teachers, School Completion Programme personnel and Home-School-Community Liaison co-ordinators on implementing positive school attendance strategies and initiatives.’ he said.
The reports are available here.
Evaluation of Planning Processes in DEIS Post-Primary Schools" published by the Department of Education and Skills, and "A report on the first phase of the evaluation of DEIS", by Susan Weir and Peter Archer of the Educational Research Centre (ERC) in Drumcondra.